Update: I was unfortunately not aware of Shamus Young's severe criticism of Fallout 3 available here to link in the original piece and I regret that. It dovetails rather nicely with what I've written and it's much better executed than my piece. I strongly recommend anyone...

Lately I've noticed a lot more video reviews for games, particularly on IGN. I don't mind them. I guess. I do dislike clicking the link for the review and a video player opening up as I was expecting a text based review. Personally, I prefer written reviews. It allows me to skim and find the information I'm looking for a lot quicker than using a video player slider. But maybe I'm in the minority as I'm seeing more video reviews popping up.

So which do you prefer? Would you like to see GR do more video reviews?_________________

Optimus-Crime wrote:

it's fucking Canada and who wants to live in the badlands but space rebels, pirates and vikings..

Nah, written reviews are far better. More details, less buffering, and probably more colourful vocabulary and witty remarks. Most sites do video reviews just because they can, it's not necessary. Plus, GR has more character in the written word than in video I think._________________

Nah, written reviews are far better. More details, less buffering, and probably more colourful vocabulary and witty remarks. Most sites do video reviews just because they can, it's not necessary. Plus, GR has more character in the written word than in video I think.

I agree. I'm thankful GR focuses on written reviews that's for sure._________________

Optimus-Crime wrote:

it's fucking Canada and who wants to live in the badlands but space rebels, pirates and vikings..

I like video reviews when I want to see actual gameplay and not just screens or trailers. Polygon's and GameTrailers' are both good. In fact, Polygon's are usually the reviewer himself/herself paraphrasing lines from their own text review and delivering it in a really nicely designed and delivered video package.

It's sorta the same with GameTrailer's reviews except they just hire a voice actor to paraphrase their reviews. I would like to see GR make one video before deciding it's what they want to do. Can't be worst than the bikini reviews.

It's sorta the same with GameTrailer's reviews except they just hire a voice actor to paraphrase their reviews. I would like to see GR make one video before deciding it's what they want to do. Can't be worst than the bikini reviews.

I write them, I prefer writing them, and I will always stick to writing them.

Video reviews tend to fall into the trap of video entertainment. It is not so much a review but a show, a character shouting things at the screen and trying to either make an educated point, a sly joke, or just being an angry video game nerd.

The written reviews you can get a lot more out of it, and save for the few times you try to do something artsy with the review, its usually tamer and honestly, more professional-like in my book._________________

I like my game reviews like I like my games, with lots of content. I'm not a huge fan of most video reviews, unless it shows actual gameplay and is longer than five minutes long. Like, ten minutes long. Text is usually better, as long as the person writing it is a good writer. If you're a good enough writer, it doesn't matter how crappy you are at video games or how bad your taste is, I'll still want to read your stuff. If you're a bad writer, then that's a whole different story.

Like for example, if I read a review that literally doesn't talk about the gameplay or the story other than "it's good" or "it's bad" I'm gonna make fun of you endlessly. Even moreso if it isn't really that good or bad._________________

I like to get two things: an opinion and some entertainment. I have usually already made up my mind so it's your job to either change it or make it worth me reading about how you agree with me._________________It's okay to just have fun sometimes.

I prefer written reviews as well. Watching a video of the review tends to be spoilerific.

Although I would like to make fun of Daniel's crazy terrorist beard more.

I get the spoiler thing. I don't watch video reviews for some games that I am especially not wanting spoiled.

Always love Daniel's beard, but video reviews are best when they don't have somebody's dumb face stumbling through unscripted opinion. Maybe that's the YouTube model, but a professional games site should do something classier. I bet Daniel or somebody else at GR could nail it if they tried.

I really don't get the spoiler thing. A review is meant to be for someone who has not played the game so why ruin it? Kind of like when trailers for movies show waaaay too much. It's just a douche move.

For more info on gaming, check out my review for Resident Evil titled "The guy who wears his sunglasses at night is actually the bad guy".

GT's video reviews are usually aren't that "spoil-ly". The trick is that you just show gameplay footage that wouldn't make sense without context. Like combat, exploration, or ever interacting with NPCs that doesn't reveal the main story elements.